higher than most of his first year. our latest nbc news/"wall street journal" poll shows the approval rating at 52% but despite the number our first read team notes, quote, the president faces an american public that remains in a funk as the president spends a low-key day at the white house, the new official portrait is unveiled. the president is smiling more but there is a lot more gray and inauguration weekend in washington kicks off tonight with pre-inaugural balls. many of those for charity and then tomorrow a national day of service. there will be a service summit on the national mall followed by a children's concert hosted by the first lady and dr. jill biden. sunday, president obama will take part in a private swearing-in at the white house. an the date mandated by the constitution. monday, he'll take the oath of office at the capitol followed his inaugural address and then the parade and a night of balls. joining me now, political panel, chicago sun times washington bureau chief, lynn sweet and columnist zachary